Solar Power Plant Construction is Underway in Chernobyl

Construction of a new solar power plant in Chernobyl is underway with the aim to optimise the “Chernobyl Zone” - which is still a very toxic environment, over thirty years since the catastrophic nuclear accident took place.

The Chernobyl Disaster

The Chernobyl disaster occured back in 1986 when a nuclear power plant exploded. A radioactive cloud spewed over the city and a large area of Europe, leaving many cities in the Ukraine and Belarus uninhabitable.

During the aftermath of the explosion, over 100,000 residents were evacuated within a one thousand square-mile exclusion zone. Initially the disaster killed 31 people, but is believed to be the cause of thousands of deaths later on.

The effects of the explosion are still very severe, and the area is expected to be unsafe for more than 20,000 years - which is why innovative procedures like the new solar power plant are being put into place.

Chernobyl Facts:

The explosion occurred during late-night safety checks.

It was deemed as a level 7 incident on the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES), making it the largest man-made disaster in history.

Nuclear rain fell in many countries as a result of the disaster.

Many health risks, mainly cancer, have increased in local residents since the explosion.

The Solar Power Plant

The new one-megawatt plant will be fitted with 3,800 photovoltaic panels and is said to be the equivalent of two football pitches in size. It is anticipated that the plant will cost around one million euros and will be capable of powering a small town. Its aim is to help optimise the toxic city and ensure less damage is forced on the environment.

As this solar power plant develops. We will keep up to date news on it.